CO₂ leaks in bars and restaurants: the invisible danger in the keg room and how to prevent it

Safety in a bar or restaurant does not end with fire extinguishers, emergency exits, or the electrical installation. There is another, less visible risk that is especially important in establishments that serve draft beer: carbon dioxide (CO₂) leaks.

CO₂ is essential to push beer from the keg to the tap and is also used in soft drink systems, carbonated water, and other beverage dispensing systems. However, a leak can cause a dangerous gas build-up in basements, cold rooms, keg rooms, and technical areas.

The main problem is that CO₂ it has no color or smell. A person may enter an apparently normal room without knowing that the atmosphere has a dangerous concentration.

That is why a professional CO₂ detection system can become an essential protective measure for employees, maintenance staff, suppliers, and others who access these installations.

In this Install Beer guide we explain where risks arise, what Spanish regulations establish, how safety detectors work, and which LogiCO2 solution may be suitable for each business.

Do you have a keg cooler, a CO₂ cylinder storage room, or a draft beer tap installation? Configure your LogiCO2 detection system or request technical advice from Install Beer.

Why can CO₂ from a draft beer installation be dangerous?

In a professional installation, CO₂ is normally stored in cylinders or tanks and distributed through regulators, piping, fittings, and taps to the beer kegs.

Although the system is designed to operate safely, there are various points where a leak can occur.

Common causes include:

• Deteriorated seals in regulators or keg couplers.

• Fittings, clamps, or connections that have lost their tightness.

• Damaged or poorly connected gas pipes.

• Incorrect handling during cylinder or keg replacement.

• Defects in valves, manifolds, or distribution components.

• Installations modified without a full leak-tightness check.

A small leak can cause abnormally high gas consumption for days. A major leak, especially in a confined space or one with insufficient ventilation, can create a dangerous atmosphere in a short time.

CO₂ tends to accumulate in low-lying areas

Carbon dioxide is approximately 1.5 times denser than air. Under certain conditions, a leak may lead to its accumulation near the floor, in pits, basements, or areas with little air renewal.

This behavior is especially relevant in establishments with keg rooms under the bar, indoor storage areas, and cold rooms.

However, the actual concentration will depend on the leak rate, the geometry of the room, temperature, air movement, and existing ventilation.

An apparently ventilated room does not guarantee that there is no dangerous accumulation of CO₂.

Where can CO₂ leaks occur in a bar or restaurant?

A large draft beer installation is not necessary for a risk to exist. Even a small establishment can store quantities of gas that warrant a preventive assessment.

You must also take into account staff who enter occasionally to change kegs, carry out cleaning, or repair the system.

Let’s imagine a common situation: an employee goes down to the basement to change a keg before opening the restaurant. During the night a leak has occurred and nobody has detected the problem.

Without a warning signal that can be checked before entering, the worker is unaware of the state of the atmosphere.

A properly designed detection system makes it possible to warn of abnormal concentrations and trigger the alerts defined in the safety plan.

What effects can a high concentration of CO₂ cause?

Carbon dioxide is part of the air we breathe, but excessive concentration can disrupt how the body functions.

Depending on the concentration and the exposure time, headache, increased respiratory rate, dizziness, disorientation, loss of coordination and, in severe situations, loss of consciousness and death may occur.

In addition, a major CO₂ release can displace part of the oxygen present in the environment.

The appearance of symptoms must not be used as a warning system: by the time a person starts to feel unwell, the situation may already be dangerous.

Reference CO₂ levels

These values do not represent a universal safety scale. The detector levels are technical settings defined by the manufacturer, while the occupational limit value is based on occupational exposure criteria.

Brief exposure to a high concentration can be dangerous even if the eight-hour average is below 5,000 ppm.

Is it mandatory to install CO₂ detectors in bars and restaurants in Spain?

Spanish legislation requires that the risks present in the workplace be assessed and that appropriate prevention and protection measures be established.

In this context, the following provisions must be given particular consideration:

Royal Decree 374/2001: chemical agents at work

The Royal Decree 374/2001 regulates the protection of workers against risks related to chemical agents.

Among other aspects, it establishes the need to assess the presence of hazardous agents, the quantities used, exposure conditions, and the corresponding preventive measures.

In an installation with CO₂ cylinders, tanks, or distribution, this means analyzing the risks of leakage and accumulation and determining which technical and organizational measures are necessary.

Royal Decree 486/1997: safety in the workplace

The Royal Decree 486/1997 sets minimum provisions on safety, environmental conditions, ventilation and maintenance of workplaces.

Adequate ventilation is part of prevention, but it must be assessed taking into account the characteristics of the space and the contaminants present.

INSST occupational exposure limits

The National Institute for Safety and Health at Work states in its publication of Occupational Exposure Limits 2026 a VLA-ED for carbon dioxide of 5,000 ppm (9,150 mg/m³).

This is an environmental limit value for daily exposure, based on an eight-hour workday, and not a universal instantaneous maximum concentration.

So, is the detector mandatory?

There is no general nationwide requirement that imposes the same model of CO₂ detector on all bars simply because they serve draft beer.

What is mandatory is to assess the risk and adopt the corresponding preventive measures. Depending on the outcome of the assessment, the characteristics of the premises and the applicable regulations, fixed detection and alarms may form part of the necessary measures.

The question is not only whether there is a CO₂ cylinder, but what could happen if a leak occurs and how the exposed people will be protected.

How a professional CO₂ detector works

LogiCO2 safety systems use non-dispersive infrared measurement technology, known as NDIR, to monitor the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air.

When the detector registers certain levels, it can generate audible and visual warnings or transmit signals to other devices.

A professional installation may include:

• CO₂ sensors at risk points.

• Audible alarms and visual beacons.

• A central unit located outside the monitored area.

• Signage for workers and technical staff.

• Relays to activate ventilation or communicate alarms.

• Automatic shut-off valves for the CO₂ supply.

• Additional monitoring of the power supply.

The necessary components will depend on each installation. Not all establishments need the same architecture or the same number of sensors.

The main advantage of a fixed system is that continuously monitors the area while it is correctly powered and operational, without relying on someone to take a manual reading before each entry.

Which LogiCO2 detector should you choose for a bar, restaurant, or brewery?

At Install Beer we work with different professional LogiCO2 solutions. The choice depends on the gas used, the risk points, the access points, and the required alarm functions.

1. LogiCO2 Mk90: standalone detector for a single risk area

The LogiCO2 Mk90 Stand-Alone (ref. 2090) is a particularly interesting solution for establishments that need to monitor a specific area.

It integrates a CO₂ sensor with audible and visual alerts, and the base set also includes a remote sounder/beacon, power supply, cabling, and signage.

It may be suitable for a keg room or a technical room when sizing confirms that a standalone configuration is sufficient.

In addition, the Mk90 can later be integrated into a larger LogiCO2 installation.

Buy standalone LogiCO2 Mk90 detector at Install Beer

2. LogiCO2 Mk9/Mk90 with central unit: expandable safety

For establishments with several risk points, different access routes or a need for remote supervision, it is advisable to consider an architecture with a central unit.

The LogiCO2 Mk90 set with Mk9 central unit (ref. 2099) includes sensor, central unit and alarm. It is an expandable base for installations that may later require more detection points.

The central unit allows you to view readings, identify sensors, and see alarm or fault conditions from an accessible location.

Depending on the configuration, the system can also incorporate relays, additional signals and monitoring accessories.

See LogiCO2 system with central unit and alarm

3. LogiCO2 Scout Glow: portable detector for technicians and maintenance

The Scout Glow (ref. 2250) is a portable CO₂ detector that is especially useful for professionals who carry out inspections, checks, or interventions on dispensing installations.

It has Bluetooth connectivity and a smartphone app that allows you to check measured concentrations remotely.

It can also be used with its protective ball to insert or move it to an area that needs to be checked, while the operator remains in a safer position.

It is a complementary tool for maintenance personnel, but does not replace a fixed system when continuous detection is required. Nor does it replace specific procedures for entering confined spaces.

Buy LogiCO2 Scout Glow portable detector

4. Specific sensors for cold rooms

If the kegs or gas installations are located in a cold room, it is important to check the temperature range supported by the equipment.

LogiCO2 has Cold Room sensors specifically adapted to refrigeration and freezing rooms.

The specific kit for cold rooms LogiCO2 Cold Room (ref. 3349) is designed for applications that require operation at temperatures lower than those of a standard detector.

See LogiCO2 detector for cold rooms

Comparison: stand-alone, modular, or portable detector

Not sure which one fits your establishment? Use our CO₂/O₂ safety configurator. You will be able to carry out a preliminary sizing and request technical validation from Install Beer before purchasing.

Where should CO₂ sensors be installed?

Location is as important as the detector itself.

The LogiCO2 Mk9/Mk90 manuals set out the following installation references for their CO₂ sensors:

• Placement at a maximum height of 30 cm above the floor.

• Maximum distance of 5 metres from the CO₂ distribution point.

• Maximum reference coverage of 78 m² per sensor, according to the installation manual.

• Protection against impacts, dirt, obstacles, and damage during the establishment’s routine tasks.

These parameters are manufacturer limits and indications, not a universal rule by which a single sensor automatically protects any 78 m² room.

The final quantity and position must be determined taking into account the leak sources, the layout of the room, obstacles, ventilation, separate rooms, and possible accumulation points.

Visible alarms before entering the hazard area

A design error would be to install the only warning device at the back of the basement, where the worker has to enter in order to see it.

In systems with a central unit, LogiCO2 recommends placing it outside the monitored area, in a location accessible to staff.

Audible and visual signaling must make it possible to warn of the risk from the relevant access points. In many cases it is advisable to have both internal and external signaling.

Installation must be completed with functional tests, staff instructions, and an action plan in case of alarm.

What if the installation uses nitrogen or CO₂–N₂ mixtures?

Some beer installations, especially those intended for certain nitrogenated beers or special dispensing systems, use nitrogen (N₂) or gas mixtures.

It is important to distinguish between two risks:

CO₂ risk: occurs when carbon dioxide reaches dangerous concentrations. It is assessed by CO₂ detection.

Risk due to oxygen displacement: nitrogen and other inert gases can reduce the oxygen concentration in the environment. This risk is assessed by O₂ detection.

Therefore, a CO₂ detector does not automatically replace an oxygen detector.

LogiCO2 offers the Mk9 O₂ system (ref. 2057), with central unit and alarm, which allows monitoring of possible oxygen deficiency situations. Its reference configuration includes an alarm below 19.5% O₂.

O₂ sensors are installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually at a height between 150 and 180 cm above the floor.

See LogiCO₂ Mk9 O₂ safety system

If an establishment uses CO₂ and nitrogen, it may be necessary to consider a combined solution for detecting both risks.

More safety and fewer losses: the hidden cost of CO₂ leaks

A gas leak is not only an occupational risk prevention issue.

It can also have economic consequences for the business.

A small, continuous leak can cause abnormally high gas consumption, premature cylinder replacements, difficulties in maintaining beer service, and unplanned technical visits.

If the establishment runs out of gas during service, dispensing interruptions, loss of sales and the need for urgent deliveries may occur.

Early detection helps identify these situations before they turn into bigger problems.

Can a detector activate ventilation or automatically shut off the CO₂?

Yes. Certain LogiCO2 configurations allow additional control accessories to be incorporated.

For example, RCB relay boxes can transmit alarm signals to external systems, such as extraction equipment or control devices.

There are also safety valve solutions, such as the SMB assembly with shut-off valve, which allow the CO₂ supply to be interrupted when the configured alarm conditions are met.

These functions must be designed and tested according to the installation, component compatibility, and the required safety behavior.

The possibility of interrupting the supply can help both to reduce gas release and to limit economic losses.

Three example solutions for hospitality establishments

Example 1. Bar with a small keg room

A bar has an enclosed area where the kegs and CO₂ distribution are located.

If a single risk area is confirmed with characteristics compatible with the equipment’s coverage, a standalone Mk90 detector may be considered, accompanied by visible signage before entry.

The advantage is having continuous detection without initially needing a complex centralized system.

Example 2. Restaurant with a basement and separate gas store

A restaurant has a basement for kegs and another separate room where CO₂ cylinders are stored or distributed.

The assessment must consider both areas separately.

A LogiCO2 configuration with a central unit and several sensors, distributed according to the actual risk, with the necessary alarms for each access, may be suitable.

It must not be assumed that a detector located in one room automatically protects another separate room.

Example 3. Brewery or venue with several gases and different zones

A brewery has a keg room, a technical area, and equipment that uses nitrogen mixtures.

In this case it may be necessary to combine CO₂ and O₂ sensors, have a monitoring panel, and consider remote alarms or signals to ventilation.

Design requires knowledge of the installation, gas routes, and the staff’s working conditions.

These examples are for guidance only and do not constitute closed installation designs.

What to do if a CO₂ alarm is triggered

In the event of an alarm or suspected dangerous concentration, the priority is people’s safety.

1. Do not enter the risk area. If you are already inside, leave immediately following the planned safe route.

2. Alert staff and prevent further access. Follow the system instructions and the establishment’s emergency plan.

3. Request emergency assistance when appropriate. In the event of a serious alarm, affected people, or a situation that cannot be controlled safely, call 112.

4. Do not attempt improvised rescues. A second person may be exposed to the same danger. Intervention in hazardous atmospheres requires appropriate personnel and resources.

5. Isolate the supply only from a safe position, when there is an established procedure and authorized personnel.

6. Do not restore service just because the alarm stops sounding. Before using the installation again, safety conditions must be checked and the cause corrected.

Detection is a preventive measure, but it does not replace adequate ventilation, training, maintenance or emergency planning.

What maintenance does a LogiCO2 detection system require?

Fixed LogiCO2 detectors include self-calibration functions that reduce manual adjustment interventions under normal conditions.

However, self-calibration does not mean no maintenance is required.

As safety equipment, it must be kept operational and the functional checks specified by the manufacturer and the prevention plan must be carried out.

It is advisable to periodically check the condition of the sensors, audible and visual alarms, wiring, power supply, signage, and associated control components.

Staff must understand the meaning of the warnings and know how to act in the event of an alarm or system failure.

How to request a quote for installing CO₂ detectors

To recommend a suitable solution, at Install Beer we study the actual characteristics of the establishment.

The most useful information for preparing a proposal is:

• Type of business: bar, restaurant, hotel, brewery, beverage plant, etc.

• Photographs or a plan of the keg room and other risk areas.

• Approximate dimensions and height of the spaces.

• Type and amount of gas used: CO₂, N₂, or mixtures.

• Location of cylinders, tanks, regulators, kegs, and piping.

• Existing ventilation and number of access points to each room.

• Need for external alarms, centralization, or automatic shutoff.

With this information it is possible to make an initial assessment of the detection points, the necessary functions, and the most suitable equipment.

Request a quote for CO₂ detectors from Install Beer

You can also start by using our LogiCO2 configurator for CO₂ and O₂.

Frequently asked questions about CO₂ leaks in bars

Is it dangerous to store a CO₂ cylinder inside a bar?

CO₂ cylinders can be used safely when storage and installation comply with the corresponding measures. The risk arises if a leak occurs and the gas can accumulate at a dangerous concentration. The size of the room, the amount of gas, ventilation and conditions of use must be assessed.

How can you tell if there is a CO₂ leak in a keg room?

It is not possible to reliably identify a leak by smell, because CO₂ is odorless. Abnormal gas consumption may indicate a problem in the installation, but it does not reveal the ambient concentration. Suitable measuring equipment is used to detect CO₂ accumulations.

Does a home air-quality meter work as a safety detector?

This must not be assumed. Many air quality meters are designed for ventilation and comfort, with ranges, alarms, and features that differ from those required of a professional safety system. It is necessary to check the intended use and specifications of the equipment.

How many CO₂ detectors does a bar need?

There is no universal number. It depends on the leak sources, separate areas, room volume, ventilation, and geometry. The LogiCO2 Mk9/Mk90 manual considers a maximum reference coverage of 78 m² per sensor, but that figure does not replace an assessment of the installation.

Does an extractor fan eliminate the need to install detectors?

Not necessarily. Ventilation can reduce the risk, but its effectiveness, possible accumulations, and what happens in the event of a failure or shutdown must be assessed. Detection and ventilation are complementary measures when the risk requires it.

Can I install a detector if the CO₂ cylinders are outside?

Yes. You must assess where the gas runs and at which points it could be released or accumulate. An installation may have the cylinders outside but bring CO₂ into indoor rooms through piping.

What is the difference between LogiCO2 Mk90 and Scout Glow?

The Mk90 is a fixed detector for continuous monitoring of an area. The Scout Glow is a portable device for personal or technical checks. They can complement each other, but they serve different purposes.

When do I need an oxygen detector in addition to a CO₂ detector?

When there is a risk of oxygen deficiency, for example due to the use of nitrogen or other inert gases. The need to combine sensors depends on the risk assessment and the gases actually used.

Can LogiCO2 be connected to an extractor fan or to the building’s alarm system?

Certain configurations allow signals to be transmitted via relays or compatible communication interfaces. The connection must be technically verified, especially if it is integrated with ventilation, building control systems or existing protection equipment.

Install Beer: professional CO₂ safety solutions for hospitality

At Install Beer we have been working since 1996 with professional installations for dispensing beer and other beverages on tap.

We know refrigeration equipment, gas lines, regulators, keg couplers, and the usual operating conditions of bars, restaurants, and breweries.

Like official LogiCO2 distributors, we supply CO₂ and O₂ detection equipment, provide advice to select the right solution, and offer technical support and installation services according to the location and project needs.

Our goal is to help businesses operate their dispensing systems more safely, without losing sight of service continuity.

Protect the people who work in your business and detect problems before they turn into emergencies.

Explore all LogiCO2 detectors and systems

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Contact Install Beer for a customized assessment

Install Beer S.L. — Barcelona

Phone: +34 93 346 46 56

Email: info@installbeer.com

Technical sources and regulations

This content has been prepared based on technical documentation from the manufacturer LogiCO2 and official Spanish occupational risk prevention sources:

• Royal Decree 374/2001 — Protection against chemical agents.

• Royal Decree 486/1997 — Safety and health in the workplace.

• INSST — Occupational Exposure Limits for Chemical Agents 2026.

• LogiCO2 technical documentation and manuals from Install Beer.

The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace an occupational risk assessment or the design and commissioning required for each installation.